or Kongo Rikishi Two muscular, fearsome Buddhist kings ( ten ) who stand guard at temple gates, usually one open-mouthed and one closed.
(Pronunciation: "nee-OH") The "Two Kings"— devas who serve as guardians or attendants to Buddhas or bodhisattvas in Japanese Buddhist art.
KongÅrikishi or NiÅ are two wrath-filled and muscular guardians of the Buddha, standing today at the entrance of many Buddhist temples in Japan and Korea under the appearance of frightening wrestler-like statues. They are manifestations of the Bodhisattva VajrapÄṇi protector deity and are part of the Mahayana pantheon. According to Japanese tradition, they travelled with the historical Buddha to protect him.